Yonkers Tribune

Governor Cuomo Signs Historic Property Tax Cap Legislation In Westchester County

New law will protect homeowners and businesses from skyrocketing property tax hikes

PLEASANTVILLE, NY -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today traveled to Westchester County to sign New York's first property tax cap.

The tax cap, a hallmark of Governor Cuomo's campaign and a priority of his administration's first year, will finally deliver relief to millions of homeowners and business owners across the state who for too long have been burdened by out-of-control property taxes.

 

Mayor Amicone Vetoes Overtime Law Citing Legal Flaws

Mayor Pledges to Work with City Council on Alternate Legislation

YONKERS, NY – June 30, 2011 --  Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone today vetoed the Overtime Reduction Law sent to him earlier this month by the City Council, saying it would have been indefensible in court against impending legal challenges from the city's unions.

The mayor praised the Council for its "laudable" attempt to address the issue of overtime spending, particularly as it relates to the practice of pension padding --- uniformed personnel who increase their state pensions by working excessive overtime in their final year before retirement. 

Yonkers Public School Superintendent Pierorazio Addresses Governor Cuomo to Approve $5 million NYS Teachers ‘ Retirement System Spinup

YONKERS, NY -- June 29, 2011 -- Yonkers Public School Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio today addressed Governor Andrew Cuomo to approve a $5 million New York State Teachers ‘ Retirement System spinup to save the pre-K program. Click to read the YPS-Letter-to-Governor-Save-PreK.

New York Civic: Adam and Steve By HENRY J. STERN

Gay Marriage Squeezes By, 33-29,

Tax Limit, Rent Bills Approved,

Sweet Corn Is State Vegetable.

Our last column, sent out late Friday afternoon, reported that the Legislature had not reached a decision on the major issues before it: rent control, property tax cap and gay marriage. The Senate also voted to name sweet corn the state vegetable. It defeated the onion by 56-6, with six downstate Democrats dissenting, including Liz Krueger.

Yonkers Mayoral Candidate Richard Martinelli On the Level with Narog and Aris

New Rochelle, NY—Yonkers mayoral candidate Richard Martinelli is co-hosts Richard Narog and Hezi Aris’ guest this Tuesday, June 21, 2011. The show is on the level, thereby its name: On the Level. The show is heard live from 10 - 11 a.m., on WVOX- 1460 AM on your radio dial and worldwide at www.WVOX.com. 

 

Ed Koch Commentary: Mr. President, Bring All of Our Soldiers In Afghanistan and Iraq Home, Now By ED KOCH

One June 24, 2011, President Barack Obama told our nation of his plans for withdrawing U.S. military forces from Afghanistan. He told us, “We will be able to remove 10,000 of our troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, and we will bring home a total of 33,000 by next summer.” He went on to say, concerning the approximately 70,000 troops remaining that “By 2014, this process of transition [from combat to support] will be complete and the Afghan people will be responsible for their own security.” A few days before, on June 19th, in Afghanistan, the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl W. Eikenberry delivered his farewell address at Herat University and later, responding to questions, extemporaneously added to his formal remarks, stating:

The Hezitorial: In the Dead of Night and in the Light of Day By HEZI ARIS

Legislation demanded to set the City of Yonkers on a “balanced” course to win the validation of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s signature required almost two hours of hurry and wait protocol. The meeting that was called for 4:30 p.m. would not take place until approximately 7:15 p.m., Thursday night, June 23, 2011. At that propitious time, the Yonkers City Clerk read off the many “tweaks” demanded by the New York State Legislature. It took less than 10 minutes to read each clause and vote on same without a word of explanation, a congratulatory statement, a sigh of relief, or for anyone to pass gas, unless it was silent. None of the Yonkers City Councilmembers said anything. They held their backroom discussions while the audience laughed at one alleged fraud after another. It was hilarious. Then again, it was at the expense of Yonkersites. Things don’t seem to change much in Yonkers after all.

Senator Stewart-Cousins' Statement on Passage of Historic Marriage Equality Legislation

ALBANY, NY -- The New York State Legislature approved an historic marriage equality bill tonight that will allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in the State of New York. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/I/WF- 35th District), who voted in favor of the bill, released this statement:

 "This is an historic day for New Yorkers. As the world watched, the legislature took a stand and declared that discrimination is not acceptable in any form to any person or group. 

Governor Cuomo Announces Passage of Marriage Equality Act

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced passage of the Marriage Equality Act, granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry under the law, as well as hundreds of rights, benefits, and protections that have been limited to married couples of the opposite sex.

Martinelli Asserts Gay Marriage Wrong for New York

Martinelli Will Question Opponents on Their Support of Bill

YONKERS, NY – Yonkers Mayoral candidate Richard Martinelli offered the following statement in response to the New York State Senate's passage of gay marriage legislation.

Richard Martinelli said, "Tonight's vote to legalize gay marriage in New York State is wrong for our state, its families and the City of Yonkers. The passage of this law will injure the institution of traditional marriage. It will also have a negative affect on our religious institutions, our public school system and the way our state, local and municipal governments do business. 

 

Breaking News: New York State Senate Vote to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage Wins Passage By Carlos Gonzalez

ALBANY, NY -- The New York Senate today voted to legalize same-sex marriage.

City Council Adopts, Mayor Signs 2012 Budget, Restoring Some School Programs

Kindergarten & Modified Pre-kindergarten Saved;

Mayor, Council & Superintendent Pressure Teachers Union to Help Save Money, Jobs 

Yonkers City Councilmembers joined Mayor Amicone and Schools Superintendent Pierorazio to announce the 2012 budget deal that saved some school programs during a press conference held Thursday morning, June 23, 2011. (L-R): Councilmembers Wilson Terrero, Patricia McDow, Mayor Amicone, Council President Chuck Lesnick, Councilman John Larkin, YPS Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio, and Councilman Dennis Shepherd). Councilmember Joan Gronowski was not present having a week prior advised she would be absent from Wednesday, June 22 to Friday, June 24, 2011.

New York Civic: Judgment Day By HENRY J. STERN

Legislature Brooded All Week, But Has Yet to Lay Any Eggs;

Friday Eve, Low Expectations.

We have been waiting all week for the Legislature to act on the major matters before it, which are supposed to be concluded by the end of this session.

It is late Friday afternoon and we believe that our writing week and your working week are likely to close before the unresolved, or secretly resolved but unpublished, issues are brought to a vote in Albany.

Statement on Behalf of the Family of Charles Campbell

Family of Dobbs Ferry Deli Shooting Victim Responds to New York’s Highest Court Unanimously Affirming Murder Conviction of Richard DiGuglielmo

“We have been asked by the family of Charles Campbell to respond on their behalf to the decision issued today by the New York State Court of Appeals.

 “The family is thankful that the murder conviction of Richard D. DiGuglielmo was unanimously affirmed today by New York’s highest court. But more than anything they are sadly reflecting upon the fact that Charles will never return to them and the man who senselessly shot him will be separated from his family and friends for many more years. When Charles was alive he spent a lot of his time working with troubled kids to help them learn to make wiser choices. His family hopes that something constructive will come from his death, and Mr. DiGuglielmo’s imprisonment, if they serve as a lesson to young people to think about the consequences of their actions before acting out of anger.

Calvi Asserts Yonkers’ FY 2011-12 City Budget an “Outrage”

The Yonkers City Council last night adopted a City budget which increases property taxes by 4.8%, increases water rates dramatically, cuts teaching positions yet creates new jobs in other departments, and pays for operating costs of teacher pensions by borrowing money.

Yonkers Mayoral candidate Carlo Calvi (R-I) called the plan an outrage and a postponement of disaster if the present course is maintained.